Great Points

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt goes back to fundamentals by talking in depth about bank accounts and cash management overall.  What are the different account types you can open?  What are their purposes, features, and how should they be used?  From Checking accounts, to CDs, to Money Markets, and everywhere in between, this episode is a good primer or reminder for how make the best...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt relays a few conversations he overheard in the Barber shop, and his takeaways as a financial planner.  While many people spend hours researching purchases, such as a new TV or a new car, fewer take that same amount of time to think about their whole financial picture.  What if we all spent that same amount of time thinking about our financial future? ...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt talks about what to do when the kids "leave the nest." The time between kids leaving the house and reaching retirement is a time of change for most couples.  How do you make sure your kids are prepared for adulthood?  What type of financial help, if any, should you give them if you are able?  What should you do with all of your newfound time...

On today's episode, Matt talks about planning for longevity.  As financial planners, we are trained to create plans through age 95 or 100.  There are a lot of nuances to doing so, but there is also a lesson buried in the exercise: you can have higher quality of living through age 95 or 100 by thinking through some key pieces of the puzzle.  What are the things you want to do and people you wa...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt talks about building financial competence.  Much like improving your physical fitness, knowledge only goes so far.  Turning your financial literacy into a weekly habit is a great way to nudge yourself into making progress.  Whether it's just checking your weekly spending, making recurring savings or investments, or anything else you've been m...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt talks about the four fundamental rules of investing and how to invest effectively over the long-term.  With the vast amount of news and financial media inundating us daily, it's easy to get lost in the noise.  Whether you are a new investor, have relatives who are just getting started, or just need a quick refresher, this episode is a great baseli...

There is very little you can do to at this point in March 2026 to manage your 2025 taxes.  Pull all of your paperwork together, and file your return; it's all procedural and backward looking.  However, there is a lot you can learn from your 2025 return. In today's episode, Matt talks about some of the key things to look at once you file your 2025 taxes, and some of the tools at your disp...

On today's special episode of Great Points, Matt reacts to the Patriots' big win yesterday.  Now that the Pats are suddenly off to Santa Clara, CA for the Super Bowl...many New Englanders will make the snap decision to make the trip to watch live.  Should you be one of them?   Going to the Super Bowl is a once in a lifetime event for many, but is it worth the trade-offs?  As with many th...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt talks about setting financial goals and how you can make those goals a reality.  There is value in big ambitious long-term goals, but how you handle medium and even short-term goals ultimately plays a significant role in attaining the big ones.  Whether financial goals or otherwise, Matt offers some practical tips for turning "resolutions" in...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt runs through a scenario where a younger person receives a gift or an inheritance.  As with any chunk of money, there are a variety of options what you might do with it.  What would a $19k gift be worth in 40 years if I invest it?  What if I pay off student loan or other debt?  What if I spend it?  There may not be one right answer, but thinking through...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt speaks with long-time friends Matthew and Natasha about their own financial journey and how they're teaching their kids about finances.  From a start as self-proclaimed "F minus" financial students, Matthew and Natasha reflect on their rude awakening on entering adulthood, and how they are trying to teach their 16 and 13 year olds about...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt speaks with Randall Gregory, an independent benefits consultant at Core Benefits Group.  As we enter into Open Enrollment season, they talk about the various terms related to Medicare enrollment and the different plans available before diving into what types of plans might be right for you.  Confused by Part A, Medigap, Supplement, or Advantage plans? ...

On today's episode, Matt explains the new "Trump Account" proposed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed earlier this year.  The new account type is set to be pre-filled with $1,000 for children born between 2025 and 2028.  How much could that be worth in 65 years?  What are the rules around the new account type and when might it make sense to add funds to the account as...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt reacts to recent news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement in the way he knows best: by relating it to financial planning.  We're not talking about financial tactics of a celebrity wedding, but rather focusing on the things that can actually impact your life.

On today's episode, Matt speaks with Family and Divorce Attorney, Teresa La Vita.  Money is often a difficult topic, and even more so in family situations where many emotions are also at play. As a solo practitioner out of Danvers, MA, Teresa has seen all types of cases and offers valuable insight on a variety of issues related to family law.  If you are getting married soon, should you consi...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt kicks off a series of conversations around building good financial foundations as an adult.  He covers some basic definitions, and discusses the concepts that will be helpful for young adults to build good habits from the start.  Financial wellness ultimately comes down to a combination of knowledge and good habits.  This episode will help you or your...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt talks about doing your taxes.  While the 2024 tax deadline was a few weeks ago, there are a handful of simple ways you can be better prepared for next year.  Your tax preparer will thank you, but so will your future self for taking a few steps now to make tax season less stressful in the future.  Furthermore, once you have your system down, there are n...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt talks through some key concepts and context that will help you manage negative emotions when there is market uncertainty.  Taking inventory of your situation compared to many others can help you keep perspective.  Furthermore, through Covid, recent world conflicts, and even in the more distant past, there are many examples of market resilience despite...

On today's episode, Matt offers some perspective during the current environment of high market volatility.  While many investors look at their portfolio with fear when financial markets are highly variable, there are multiple things you can do to ease your stress.  Having some cash for your near term expenses, diversifying your investments, and having a plan will help you weather times where...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt takes a look at the numbers behind Social Security benefits.  While it's a common talking point in different forms of media, is it really possible that Social Security could go away anytime soon?

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt reacts to a recent article he read on the non-financial considerations of retiring.  As lifespans get longer, there is growing consideration for what happens to the brain in retirement.  While the science is somewhat inconclusive, there are a lot of things you can do to make sure you maximize your golden years.

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt Schroeder has an all-star cast of guests to discuss the first time home buying experience from beginning to end. Realtors Shea Pilsbury and Matt Munson (Munson Realty Group) join Mortgage Advisor Jeff Rolke (Gold Coast Mortgage) and Real Estate Attorney Michael Osborne (Michael Osborne Law).  They cover everything from the first steps you should take,...

On today's episode, Matt walks through a scenario many investors encounter after periods of strong growth: owing capital gains taxes.  If you have investments in a non-retirement account where your growth is subject to capital gains tax, you likely have some gains from the last few years of market growth.  While no tax is due until you realize those gains, there is also the possibility that y...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt addresses a common question: does it make sense to help an adult child to purchase a home?  With Real Estate prices significantly outpacing inflation over the past few decades, gifting may be one pathway to help your child afford a home.  However, it's worth asking whether you can reasonably afford to help and--maybe more importantly--if you shoul...

On today's episode of Great Points, Matt talks with Linda Savarese of North Share Care Management.  As a certified LifeCare Management professional, Linda specializes in helping elderly and cognitively disabled people navigate their lives.  They discuss some of the signs that your loved one might be struggling to care for themselves and what to do when you start to see those signs.  If your l...